Foldable step



April 11', 1939 G. LlNsTl-:AD a-r AL 2,153,946

FOLDABLE STEP Filed June 18, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l April 11, 1939. G. LlNsTEAD ET AL FOLDABLE STEP Filed June 18, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 11, 1 939 YUNITED STATES FQLDABLE STEP Gilbm Linsteaa and charles n, rolsna, Rockford, Ill., assignors to The Atwood Vacuum Ma- Application'rune 1s, 1937, serial No. 14s,ss4

` (CL 28o- 166) A 21 claims.

This invention relates to foldable steps generally but is particularly concerned with oncespe'cially designed and adapted for use on auto' project .downwardly fromthe"trailerV voor `in y `folded position, thus giving rise ,to the danger of striking obstructions when the trailer is being 'parked. fOur step by reason of its folding to such ,go compact size avoids this objection and it furthervmore Vmakes it `feasible to provide a protective sheet metal casing therefor to keep it clean when 4 folded away. 1., Another important object of ourinvention con- ;5 sists in providing a foldable step of the kind mentioned designed so that it may berconstructed throughout from sheet metal and will, therefore, be of light weight and also economical to manufacture. A11 of the sheet metal parts are formed -lwith a special view to obtaining the requisite fl strength and rigidity, and a novel feature of the ,sheet metal tread is the way in which one edge ,thereof is formed to provide upstanding flanges `.adaptedto serve as mud Scrapers as well as a .33 i convenient vhandle between the scrapers adapted foruse in pulling out the step from its retracted 4.position and also inV folding thev step. v

Other important features of the step of `our .invention are the novel way in which the sup- ,.40 porting arms inter-lock with the ends of the slots in the brackets to hold the step firmly in extended operative position and the way in which these arms also inter-lock with the other ends of the slots when the step is folded, so as to insure keep- Y ingthe step in retracted position, there being spring -means valso provided for yeldably holding the 'parts in folded position both to prevent accidental unfolding and eliminate play and rattle when the trailer is in motion.

5,7 A furtherV feature worthy of mention is the rprovision of lugs on the slotted brackets which cooperate with the ends of the supporting arms in unlocking the arms from the outer olf-set ends `of the slots in the folding of the step, and there- V,55 after serve also to support the folded step in the foldedstep omittingithe container;

chine Company,` Rockford, Ill., a co-partnership composed of Seth B. Atwood and Jam plane of the brackets by abutment with the edges of the arms in their folded position. The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which--v Figures 1 and 2 are side Vviews of the step made 5 in accordance with our invention, Fig. 1 showing the container therefor closed with the folded step inside aswhenthe trailer is ready forthefroad and Fig. 2showing-fthe container open with the step extendingftherefrom in operative position; .jm

Fig. 3 isafrontview of Fig. 2; f .i l Fig. 4' isa* horizontal section on the line 4 of Fig. 3looking down'fon the step; Fig. 5""is ai' longitudinal section through.' the waan Fig.' 6 isa-sideview of the folded step without the container? f i. e

Fig'. `'Tis a viewsimilar to Fig. 6 but showing in fulllines ltI'IeFdISt phase in theunfolding` of the c folding of thefstep;

v Fig.' -isfaview'simnar to Fie. v but ysnewing the step fully unfolded'and i Figs. 9 andl 10 are sectional details on the 'lines 9-9an'd I'UJ-'lllofFigsiS'and '1, respectivelys#` l25 The same reference numerals are'applied tocorresponding-parts throughout the views. l

` There are 'two bralcket'sA II Tof sheet metal ben to -shaped cross-section"`whereby 'to .provide flanges I2 forlbolting-or otherwise suitablyse-ao curing the foldablestep to the oor lttof4 the trailer or1other vehicle on which the stepfis to be used. Naturally since'this step maybe` used'elsewhere than'oi'r'vehicles;l as for example, a' foldable step in shoe'f'stores; grocery stores,and1otherh35 places where merchandise is kept onshelveszand l racks necessitating step ladders,:the support I3 it will be understood shouldgbelooked upon as any suitable support wherever a foldablestep like 'the one herein disclosed may befound usab1e.,40 -The bracketsMv have longitudinal slots i4 therein metalsips I9 of angularcross-section riveted to the ends of the tread I 1 which project forwardly from the tread and have the front ends thereof bent outwardly at right angles as at 20 to provide shoulders for engagement in the 55 Vl sition between the aforesaid brackets, providing part of the support for the step in its extended operative position at thefront end of the guideways and also providing part of the support for the step in its retractive inoperative position, said pivots in the latter position of the step being disposed in the rear ends of said guideways, one or more projections on the front ends of said brackets for engagement with the upper ends of said arms serving by cooperation with the arms and the aforesaid'pivots to provide two spaced points of support for each arm to support the step rigidly in operative position, and one or more other projections on said brackets downwardly spaced relative to the first-mentioned projections for engagement with the bottoms of said arms `to serve by cooperation with the arms and the aforesaid pivots to provide two spaced points of support foreach arm to support the step in retractive inoperative position( "30, 2. A shiftable step comprising a pair of upright elongated, longitudinally slotted, sheet metal guiding and supporting brackets, eachv of the/slots'providing a longitudinally extending, substantially horizontal guideway,` a step comprising aftread and opposed supporting arms on I Ythe ends thereof, pivotson and spaced from the upper extremities of the arms slidably supported insaid guideways, a projection rigid with at least -one of said brackets arranged to be'engaged by 4Q "the upperextremity of the `related one of said `arns when the pivots are in the frontends of thefslot guideway's, vwhereby to support the step 'rigidlyin relation to the brackets in extended Voperative'position, and another projection rigid '45 withat'least one of the brackets arranged to be engaged by the lower end of the related 'one of said arms when the pivots are in the rear ends of the slot guideways, whereby to support the step substantially in the plane of said brackets 50 in inoperative retracted position.

3. A device of the character described comprising-two parallel, laterally spaced, elongated sheet metal brackets, each Vhaving a longitudinal slot' provided therein, and a horizontal tread member f 'having two parallel sheet metal arms on the opposite ends thereof extending in angular relation :thereto in substantially vertical planes, said arms Vbeing disposed between and adjacent said brackets, studs on said arms entered freely through said slots and securing said arms to said brackets for sliding and pivotal' movement relative thereto, means fin rigid relation with the brackets providing substantially horizontal supporting surfaces at the tops thereof, the upper ends of said arms having substantially horizontal edges in spaced relation to said studs for supporting engagement with said supporting surfaces when the tread is horizontally disposed in operative position with the studs at one end of the slots, and an inward projection on at least one of the brackets below the slot therein for engagement with the back of the adjacent arm when the tread is in out-of-the-way position with the studs in the other ends of the slots. 'f5 i 4. A device of the character described comprising two parallel laterally spaced elongated sheet metal brackets each having a longitudinal slot provided therein, two parallel sheet metal arms disposed between and adjacent said brackets having studs thereon entered freely through said 5 slots securing the same to the brackets for sliding and pivotal movement relative thereto, a tread member pivotally mounted at opposite ends on the outer ends of said arms for swinging movement from a position in substantially co-planar 10 relation with the arms and substantially wholly therebetween to an operative position extending in angular relation to said arms, means in rigid relation with the brackets providing substantially horizontal supporting surfaces at the tops there- V1 5 of, the inner ends of said arms having substantially horizontal edges in spaced relation to the studs for supporting engagement with said supporting surfaces when the arms are extended from the brackets in operative position with the .20 studs at the outer end of the slots, and a projection on at least one of the brackets below the slot therein for engagement under the adjacent arm when the arms and tread member are in an out-of-the-way position with the studs in the =25 inner ends of the slots. l

5. A device as set forth in claim 4 wherein the outer end of at least one of the slots in said brackets is offset downwardly to provide a recess for locking engagement of the stud therein when 1.30 the arms are disposed in operative position, the last mentioned projection being in such spaced relation to the oifset end of the slot so that the arm will engage the projection inthe folding of the arm into the plane of the bracket and will ,-35 lift the stud out of the offset end of the slot and into alignment with the-rest of the slot.

6. A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein the outer end of at least one of the slots in 4said 'brackets is offset downwardly to provide a recess p40 for locking engagement ofthe pivot therein when the arms are disposed in operativepositiongthe last mentioned projection being infsuch-spaced relation to the oii'set end of the slot so that the arm will engage the projection in the folding of ,-45 the arm into the' plane of the bracket and will lift the pivot out of the offset end of the slot and into alignment with the rest of the slot.

7. A foldable step comprising a pair of upright guiding and supporting brackets, each having afm longitudinally extending, substantially horizontal guideway provided thereon, a step comprising a tread and opposed supporting arms spaced from the ends thereof, pivots on the upper ends of the arms slidably supported in said guideways, said;55 pivots providing part of the support for the step in its unfolded operative position at the front end of the guideways and also serving to support the step in its folded inoperative position, said pivots in the latter position of the step beingffao disposed in the rear ends of said guideways, the upper ends of said arms being both at a predetermined angle to determine the angle of suspension of the arms in operative position, and means engaged by theangular upper ends of saidr65 arms when the pivots are in the front ends of the guideways, whereby to support the step rigidly in relation to the brackets in operative position, the front ends of said guideways being offset downwardly and the pivots on the upper endsxm of the arms being arranged to engage in said offset ends to lock the step detachably in operative position with the angular upper ends en: gaging said supporting means.

8. A foldable step comprising a pair of upright-575 guiding and supporting brackets.. -each having `a longitudinally extending, substantially horizontal guideway-jprovided thereon, a step comprisi ing a tread and opposedjsupporting arms `on the ends thereof, pivots on'the upper ends `of the arms slidably supported in said guideways, said pivots providing'part of the support for the'step'inits unfolded operative position at the front endof the guideways and also providing part of the sup-` ioport for the' step in its folded inoperative position,

said pivots in the latter position of the step :being disposed in the rear ends of said guideways, Y means engaged bythe upper ends of said arms f when the pivots are inthe `front ends ofthe guide- F15 ways,'whereby to support the step rigidly in relation to the brackets in operative position, the

fr'ont ends 4of -said guidewa'ys being-offset downwardly and the `pivots on the upper-vends of the 1 arms being'arranged to engage in saidloifset ends 20 to lock the'step detachably in operative position, `and means onthe vbrackets in Qspaced relation to the oset ends of said vguideways-arranged'to Vbe engaged by the upper ends'of -said 'arxnswhen they are folded into the .plane of the brackets to 25 cause the pivots to be raised. out of the offset ends of the guideways into alignment `vwiththe resty of thelguideway'ssofas to'permitvsliding'of the step to 'anout-of-theeway:.position;` fl

,s 9. A device as set forth in daim k2"tvier'eii tne- -B0 inner' end of at,l least one `offthe slots offset 'downwardly for releasable looking engagement ltherein of the associated pivotto retain the folded 1o. A device as setrcrtninciaim -zwhreinfth 1'35 inner end of-'at leastfonelaoftlie slots is offset Y downwardly for 'releasable "locking :engagement ltherein of the ssociatedpivot to'retain` the folded means active against lthe zstepin'the folded posigo tion tourge tnepivot downwardiyin the-omet;

'11. Ina foldabiesten'afpair of upright "and supporting-brackets longitudinalhfslot-Vy 'rated 'flange 'thereon for fseeuring:V thesame .I to a i ,g5 `support, a stepV comprising 'ai tread- `pivoted .'be-

tween opposed supporting arms orithefendsthere,y

the arms slidably engagingfin 'the 'slots in: the brackets for "sliding "'pirvotal'fmovement of said $0 arms :to and from Vvan operative position `extending in angular relation'to" thefouter ends` `offsai'd brackets, vmeanson the pivot'ed ends "of said arms Y l Y an'ges in the A"operative positionoffthe'armszfor ,55 Asupporting, the latterag'ain'stf'turning' Iout 'of said 'position,"=-said arms and treadmeniber infolded4 position being disposed "substantially, wholly bei tween thel bracketsin coplanar :relation@there-v with, and an enclosing'casing comprising aeon-` l 1180 tainer having side, backfand fwalls 'ffor 'enclosurejof the aforesaidstructure, 'the side ywallsf `having inwardlybent perforated top 'angesgffor yabutment on top of the liianges onsidbrackets Y "and 'registration of their perforations with'the "B5 perforations therein, 5 fastener means` `entered Tthrou'gh the -registeringlperforations for securing the step structure andoontainer therefor jointly t'o the support,"and'an iop'enable fclosure forithe frontend of fsaid 'containerl l ".fi' 12. In 1a vfoldableJ-step structure `comprising a tread member invertible 'from 'a normal horizontal operative position and adapted'whenfso'invverte'd to be moved: toandrfromfanout-of-theway position, the'tread memberbeing of sheet ldus metal construction and having a longitudinal-'reenforcing ange on `theiririer edge thereof 'pro-I ,iecting` downwardlyfrom the Atopltread'` surface. a

grallybent portion of: said flange bent outwardly from the lower' edge"thereoffand` upwardly to ,Si

provide a scraping` ed'gegwhereby when the tread jis inverted, the scraperisalso inverted substantially.` as and for the described.

f 11,3.' -In a .foldablegstepljtstructllrelmprising -a tread member invertibleffrorn a: normal horizon- 10j` taloperative positioniandfadapted when so in`` l verted to be movedtoj-andfronian out-of-the-` metal constructinriny 4and aflongitudinalrev jecting downwardly'fromthetop treadsuriacea willi/'bent PortjoiSdi-,aselpent outwardly envias-and: an. itermedlate 'lonsitudlnallyle'xtndine-fportion of;

@erneuerbaren ,wildl kmntalfv :Step

set

for y `from extendedioperative positionswhen the Divotsthre .miteiof-:the

,te `ends thereof, the!treadbeingwfoldablefromYan gperative'position `Irelationtiisaidarms` "V70 to-an inoperative hetweenvand in f sub- A i s tantially" the l'same `plane fw'ith; said arms', and

ceived in thejslotsin saidbrackets, the armste th'yinner "sides of Ysaidffl mud scraperv for said, treadzeomprising an intec V way Lposition;l the ftreadgmember yof, sheet v l enforcing Y,flange r` og the" edgevjthereof y pro- ".:16 mud scraper-Fior comprising 3 brackets, the free ends of said arms in operative position being cut oi substantially horizontally in upwardly spaced relation to said pivots and arranged to engage the inturned top flanges of said brackets to support the arms in angular relation to the brackets, the arms being foldable from operative position into the plane of the brackets and slidable lengthwise relative to the slots to an out-of-the-Way position.

18, A device of the character described comprising two parallel laterally spaced elongated sheet metal brackets, each having a longitudinal slot provided therein, and a step adapted to be supported on said brackets comprising a tread member in a substantially horizontal plane parallel with the plane of said slots, and two parallel arms at opposite ends of said tread member extending in angular relation to' said tread member toward the brackets for operation therebetween, each alongside one of said` brackets, the upper ends of said arms being formed to provide substantially horizontal supporting surfaces substantially parallel with the aforesaid slots and tread member, studsv on said arms extending through said slots pivotally securing the arms'to said brackets for sliding and pivotal movement relative thereto, said studs being located in downwardly spaced relation to said top surfaces on said arms, and means in rigid relation with the brackets above the slots therein providing substantially horizontal supporting surfaces for engagement with the top supporting surfaces on said arms.

19. A device of the character described comprising two parallel laterally spaced elongated sheet metal brackets, each having a longitudinal -slot provided therein, and a step adapted to be supported on said brackets comprising a tread member in a substantially horizontal plane parallel with the plane of said slots, and two parallel arms at opposite ends of said tread member extending in angular relation to said tread member said arms, means in rigid relation withthe brackets providing substantially horizontal supporting surfaces at the tops thereof for engagement with the top supporting surfaces on said arms, and means to prevent rearward sliding movement of the arms relative to the brackets when the studs l are in the front ends of the slots with the step in extended operative position.

20. A device of the character described comprising two parallel laterally spaced elongated sheet metal brackets, each having a longitudinal slot provided therein, and a step adapted to be supported on said brackets comprising a. tread member in a substantially horizontal plane parallel with the plane of said slots, and two parallel arms at opposite ends of said tread member extending in angular relation to said tread member toward the brackets for operation therebe-` tween, each alongside one of said brackets, the upper ends of said arms being formed to provide substantially horizontal supporting surfaces substantially parallel with the aforesaid slots and tread member, studs on said arms extended through said slots pivotally securing the arms to said brackets for sliding and pivotal movement relative thereto, said studs being located in downwardly spaced relation to said top surfaces on said arms, means in rigid relation with the brackets providing substantially horizontal supporting surfaces at the tops thereof for engagement with the supporting surfaces on said arms, means to prevent rearward sliding movement of the arms relative to the brackets when the studs are in the front ends of the slots with the step in extended operative position, and means for preventing forward sliding movement of the arms relative to the brackets when the studs are in the rear ends of the slots with the step in retracted inoperative position.

2l. A device of the character described comprising two parallel laterally spaced elongated sheet metal brackets each having a longitudinal slot provided therein, and a step adapted to be supported on said brackets comprising a tread member in a substantially horizontal plane parallel with the plane of said slots, and two parallel arms at opposite endsof said tread member extending in angular relation to said tread member toward the brackets for operation therebetween, each alongside one of said brackets, the upper ends of said arms being formed to provide subsaid arms, means in rigid relation with the brackets providing substantially horizontal supporting surfaces at the tops thereof for engagement with the supporting surfaces on said arms, and means for preventing forward sliding movement of the arms relative to the brackets when the studs are in the rear ends of the slots with the step in retracted inoperative position.

GILBERT LINSTEAD. CHARLES R. POLSTRA.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,155,9146. l. April '11, 1959..

GIIBERT LINSTEAD, ET AL. It is hereby certified that error appears in the print-ed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5,l first column, lines 1h and Z8-29, claim 1," for-.the word "retractive" read retracted; samepage, second column, line 55, claim?, for "spaced from" read on;

line 5h., same c1aim,-for"on" read spaced from; page )4, second column, line hl, claim 1h., for "brakets" read'brackets; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case 1n the Pateneoffice.

Signed and sealed this 15th dayv of August, A. D. 1959.

Leslie Frazer v(Seal) Acting Commissioner of-Patents.

l CERTIFICATE oF coRREcTIoN. Patent No. 2,155,9146. April '11, 1959..

GILBERT LINSTEAD, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the print-ed .specification of the bove numbered patent requiring correction as follows z, Page 5, first column, lineslI andA28-29, claiml; forthe word "retractive" read retract ed; same page, second column, line 55, claim-7,'`or "spaced from" read on; vline 5h, eame claimyfor "on" read` spaced from; page 1I, second column, line lll, claim lh., for "brakets" read'brgckets; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to 'the record of the cas-e In the Patent office.

"signed and sealed this 15th day of August, A. D. 1959.-

Lesle Frazer (Seal) Acting Gommiesioner of-Pgtents. 

